16/03/2026
Drivers, Farmers, and Communities Storm Petron HQ to Condemn Oil Giant's Greed Amid Unfolding Fuel Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2026
MANDALUYONG CITY — Dozens of drivers, commuters, farmers, fisherfolk, and marginalized communities converged at the Petron Corporation headquarters at the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Head Office Complex in Mandaluyong City this morning, March 16, to hurl condemnation, in the form of crude-looking black clay, at the oil giant's doorstep, one day before another round of massive oil price increases is set to punish already struggling Filipinos.
The protest, organized by disaster survivors alliance People Surge in coordination with transport group PISTON, targeted Petron's corporate headquarters as the most visible symbol of an industry bleeding ordinary people dry. Protesters hurled black clay at Petron's logo to dramatize their fury over what they call shameless profiteering at the height of the nation’s worst oil crisis in recent memory.
"Pinagpyestahan ng mga dambuhalang kumpanya ng mga langis tulad ng Petron at Shell ang krisis" declared ka Alex from Piston at the rally. "Habang kaming mga tsuper ay nawawalan ng daan-daang kita sa pamamasada, itong mga korporasyon ay kumikikita ng bilyung-bilyong pesos. Natutuwa ang mga ganid na kapitalista tuwing may gyera, isa lamang si Ramon Ang, presidente ng Petron Corp. Hindi na nakakabuhay ang kinikita namin sa taas ng presyo ng langis. Dahil dito, papagulungin namin ang Welgang Bayan hanggat di natatanggal ang excise tax at bumababa ang presyo ng mga bilihin."
Diesel prices in the Philippines have surged by as much as ₱24.25 per liter since March 10, with gasoline climbing up to ₱13 per liter and kerosene rising by up to ₱38.50 per liter in a single week. In many provinces, pump prices have already breached the ₱100 per liter mark, spelling the difference between eating and going hungry for ordinary Filipinos.
"The figures do not add up. This crisis is not natural," said a leader from ACT Teachers Partylist. "The oil deregulation law has stripped the government of the power to protect the people. Every increase is a policy choice that sacrifices the poor on the altar of corporate profit."
Daniel Fabellon of Agham Youth added: "We are seeing the convergence of climate injustice and economic injustice. The poor did the least to cause the Middle East conflict being used as an excuse for these hikes, yet they bear the heaviest burden."
Funa-ay Claver from KATRIBU, representing indigenous and national minority communities, stressed that upland and coastal communities dependent on fuel for their livelihoods have no buffer against these shocks. "Our communities have no choice — no alternative energy, no subsidy that actually reaches them. Every hike deepens our dispossession."
People Surge condemns Petron Corporation and the entire oil industry cartel for exploiting the current crisis to extract maximum profit. The group calls for the immediate suspension of VAT and excise taxes on petroleum products, the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, and the filing of charges against any oil company engaged in profiteering and hoarding.
The protest organizers also demanded concrete accountability from the Marcos Jr. administration, which they accused of serving oil companies instead of the people. They slammed Malacañang for hiding behind “world market prices” while refusing to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law, roll back excise and value-added taxes on fuel, or impose a price freeze and stricter regulation on oil firms, saying every day of inaction from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a political decision to side with Petron and other oil giants over drivers, workers, farmers, fisherfolk, teachers, and the poor already at breaking point.
People Surge stands with the drivers, the farmers, the fisherfolk, and every poor Filipino crushed under the weight of this manufactured crisis. The oil giants will not have the last word. # #
